Bits and Pieces – 24th Edition – August 16, 2020

The Toronto church will be open (DV) for public service today. Only the morning service will be held for the next few weeks at its normal time of 11.00am. Certain restrictions will be in place, details of which have been sent out to those on the church mailing list. The evening service, at its normal time of 6.30pm, will continue on sermonaudio. The Wednesday evening prayer meeting (7.30pm) for this week will be on zoom as will the Sunday evening pre-service prayer time (5.50pm) Those on the mailing list will be informed of any further changes.

Your continued prayer will be greatly appreciated by the writer.  His heart valve replacement surgery went well, but unfortunately, a side effect has been some double vision and balance problems.   This necessitated a further two days stay in Sunnybrook hospital, and some treatment.  Do pray the Lord will speedily raise him to health and strength.

Peter Slade, husband of Lillian, brother of Ruth and Lois, and father of Debbie, Beth, Jim and Petie, passed away early on Thursday, after a lengthy illness.  Peter was a big man in every way as a Christian, businessman, benefactor and stalwart for the truth.  He once served as an elder in the infant Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.  His funeral will be held in the historic Jarvis Street Baptist Church, where his father pastored for many years.  A private family interment will be held following the public service.  Our heart-felt sympathy goes out to the family members including the many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The question is, “What is thy beloved more than another beloved?”   [Song of Solomon 5:9]. It is posed of the Bride, the church, regarding the Great Bridegroom, Christ.  The best person to ask about a husband is the wife.  She knows all about him and his idiosyncrasies.  The best person to ask about Christ is the Bride.  She is married to Him.  The natural man has his faults and failings, but the Lord Jesus is “holy, harmless, undefiled separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” [Hebrews 7:26].

This question was asked by the “daughters of Jerusalem.”  The world sees no beauty in Christ, and has to ask what makes Christ different from all men who ever lived.

THE ANSWER GIVEN.  The base of the question is “What is thy beloved more.”  The world tries to put a face on Christ.  Artists, sculptors and now moviemakers try to picture what Jesus was like, but they all fail.  The Word of God succeeds where man falls short.  What is Jesus more?

He is more exalted.  We are told “His head is as most fine gold.” [v11].  9 carat gold is 37.5% gold but pure gold, or most fine is 24 carat or 100%.  The gold speaks of the deity of Christ.  His name is above every name [Philippians 2:9].

He is more powerful  [v11].  His hair is black, signifying youthful and strong.  “Bushy” reminds us of the strength of Samson.  But, like Samson, the greatest of men are weak.  Jesus was able to say, “All power is given unto me.”

He is more pure. [v10].  Note “white” [v12], “lilies” [v13], “marble”  [v15].  All of these speak of the purity of Christ.  Distil the purity and virtue of a million men.  Their goodness falls far short of Jesus. There is no stain of sin in him.

He is more loving.  He is “ruddy” [v10].  The first Adam was made of red earth and led the world in sin.  The last Adam was red with the blood of the cross.  The marks of his bride were upon Adam.  The marks of the Bride of Christ were at the cross.

He is more forgiving.  [v12].  The “dove” is a bird of peace.  Jesus brought a peace the world knows nothing of. [John 14:27].  The peace of God.

He is more precious. [v10]. He is “the chiefest among 10,000.  Look at 10,000 stars, He is “the bright and morning star.”  Think of 10,000 suns, He is the “Sun of righteousness”  [Malachi 4:2].  Survey 10,000 angels, He is the “Angel of the Covenant.”  Study 10,000 kings, He is the “King of kings” [Revelation 17:14].

He is altogether lovely [v16].  There is no flaw to mar the diamond of His deity.   The church’s message?  “This is my beloved and this is my friend.”

Things that we cannot possibly measure include the mercy of God.   “For as the heaven is high above the earth, (an immeasurable distance) so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.”   “The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him.” (another immeasurable distance).

Our sins are also blotted out an immeasurable distance from us, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.”

Let us rejoice and be amazed at the greatness and goodness of our God in the salvation of our souls.